The Lion King Returns With The Lion Guard — A New Disney Series

My sweet young daughter is my guru in life.She does not know it yet but often SHE is the one teaching or reminding me of life lessons in love, generosity and kindness.

Yesterday was another moment where she reminded me that kindness has a place in this world.

We were at the launch preview of Disney’s latest television series The Lion Guard. After watching the first two episodes, the organizers held a short quiz whereby the children could win the stuff toys below for themselves. Being the oldest one there and a big fan of The Lion King, I knew my daughter would have no trouble with the answers. When the first question was asked, I nudged her to put up her hand to answer. She turned to me and whispered, ” Mom, we should let the younger ones try first. They have the priority!!” That immediately shut me up.

Now, many of you might say it’s just a stuff toy. What is the big deal? You are absolutely right. Winning a stuff toy is not a big deal. But losing sight of the bigger picture and forgetting what is more important in life is.

When my kids were in preschool, I was happy to let them thrive and learn at their own speed. But when they transited to primary or secondary schools, there is more pressure to perform. One of my parenting struggles is to find a balance in seeing the big picture of achievement. It is challenging to remain neutral and supportive when in school and on facebook, you hear, see and feel the call to perform well in academics and sports, the pull to receive awards and the induction into leadership roles.

It is a competitive environment whether I like it or not. And as much as I resist, from time to time, I get suck into it. Sweetness and kindness are not acknowledged, graded or rewarded. Being number one in Maths, Science, English, Chinese, sports or dance is. I want her to win too. I want her to experience winning. I also want her to get good grades so she is promoted to a good class where she will have (better?) teachers who will help push her to get the grades to get into a good secondary school. See how easy it is to lose sight of the big picture? Being sweet and kind and considerate somehow does not seem so important.

So I am grateful for moments like this, when my daughter reminds me what is more important in life and of who she really is — a kind and sweet child. I know this girl will go far. I just have to trust that the Universe has the bigger picture for her in the cycle of life.

This is why I LOVE DISNEY. I love the ingenious ways they weave poignant morals in their story telling that speak not just to the kids but to the adults too. I love the positive subliminal messages that the kids take away from watching Disney programs. And these messages often serve as timely reminders to me as I go through my parenting journey. And of course who does not love the enduring adorable characters that Disney creates.

It continues the tradition of the family and music from Disney’s 1994 award-winning classic, The Lion King. The Lion Guard features Simba and Nala’s son, Kion, as he learns how to be the leader of the Lion Guard, a legendary team that protects the Pride Lands.

The series is designed to communicate positive lessons about team work, community and diversity, as the Lion Guard learn to combine their unique skills to work together in each episode.

Traditionally, The Lion Guard comprised of the bravest and strongest lions in the Pride Lands. However, Kion defies tradition by assembling members of his friends with unique abilities to protect the Pride Lands and uphold the balance within the Circle of Life.

Each member of the Lion Guard has a special skill: Kion is the Fiercest who possesses the Roar of the Elders, a magical gift that causes the lion spirits of The Pridelands past to roar with him. This gift is traditionally given to the second-born, with the last owner being Scar, who used it for evil (and hence lost the gift).

Bunga the honey badger is Kion’s best friend and also the Bravest of the lot. Fuli the cheetah is cofident and the Fastest. Beshte, a friendly and good spirited hippo is the Strongest and Ono is an intellectual egret who has the ability to see all in the jungle.

Kion (the lion) with his team: Fuli (the cheetah), Beshte (the hippopotamus), Ono (the egret) and Bunga (the honey badger).

You will also see some of The Lion King’s old favourites. Remember Timon and Pumbaa? Bunga is their adopted nephew! Other favourite characters include Simba, Nala, Raffiki, Zazu and Mufasa who return with cameo appearances to the series to offer their advice to the new Lion Guard.

Here is a sneak peak of what your kids can learn from The Lion Guard.

“Show Us Your Roar” Campaign

In anticipation of the movie and series launch, Disney Channel Asia is looking for the kid with the BEST LION ROAR. Video your kids with their roar and submit the videos on Disney Channel Asia Facebook page. Your kids stand a chance to have their video aired on Disney Channel during the premiere episode of “The Lion Guard: Return of the Roar!”.

Catch The Lion Guard on Sunday mornings 8.30AM on Disney Channel and you can WIN one of those adorable stuff toys at our upcoming Giveaway Promotion in May. Stay tune…

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